Thunderbirds honor fallen Blue Angels pilot

The
Air Force Thunderbirds announced Friday they will honor fallen Blue
Angels pilot Capt. Jeff Kuss by flying his name on one of their F-16s.

The Thunderbirds will honor Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss by flying his name on one of their planes for the rest of the season.

Kuss,
Blue Angel No. 6 Opposing Solo, died June 2 after his F/A-18 Hornet
crashed shortly after takeoff. The Navy’s elite demonstration squad was
practicing for an airshow in Tennessee.

The Thunderbirds announced Friday that Kuss’ name will appear on the
front wheel well of Thunderbird No. 5, Lead Solo, flown by Capt.
Nicholas Eberling.

“As they continue to heal from this tragedy, we
give our unwavering support to the Blues and Jeff’s family,” the
Thunderbird team said in a statement.

Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss died June 2 after his F/A-18 crashed while the
Blue Angels were practicing for an air show. The cause of the crash is
under investigation. (Photo: Air Force)

On the same day — June 2 — in an unrelated incident, Thunderbird No. 6
also went down following a fly-over at the Air Force Academy graduation
ceremony in Colorado. The pilot, Maj. Alex Turner, was able to eject
safely.